There's a lot of great bows for sale at bargain prices out there. I've been trying to sell/trade a few the last few months with no success, so I guess I'm too picky or asking too much. Have we flooded the market, is there not enough new trad shooters, or is the economy just that bad? I'd like to get down to 3-4 bows, but am not willing to sell a like-new bow for 50% of what I paid. I've been tempted many times by ads, but have decided that I'll not buy another without getting rid of one. What do ya'll think?
Lippe
It's the economy and its been like this for well over a year..also some "name brands" are still gonna bring more than others. I feel your pain! That's one reason I've started trading more rather than buying and selling.
I think it's less disposable income. We all have enough bows, but that used to not stop us. lol
Yes, I agree its the bad economy. People just don't have the money to spend even though the price is often great. Still a lot of guys not working regularly.
I bought a bunch of used bows from the classifieds over the last year or so up until about August.
We bought a new house and have moved which is crazy expensive. So, its less disposable income for me right now.
There are a couple of bows I would jump at right now, but those specific ones don't seem to come up for sale very often.
Like I tell my wife when she tells me about the great sale going on at the clothing,shoe, furniture...etc store - " I can't afford to save that much"
You may not want to sell a bow at 50% of what you paid.....But, don't think your going to get even near what you paid if you bought it new. When your close to new price, if there isn't a long wait, Most guys and gals will just add some cash and get new at their exact specs. I have been very fortunate to have sold a bunch of bows here on the classifieds....bought a few also....lol! I did it buy asking a fair price including shipping. Used is used....price it fair and it will sell!
I feel you...
Its easier to buy then to sell.
Just think though, what is a more durable value? It's like an investment when you get a bow.
Yep definetly a buyers market. I ease the pain from the beatings I've been taking selling recently by picking up great deals on fairly rare bows.
The bow market is just like the housing market. People are not buying when they are uncertain of the economy...less fun money to play with.
I haven't bought a bow in three years or more. Have made several though. Depending on how much I want to penny pinch, I can hunt with a full tackle kit for $30-40 for the season these days. Bow, string, shafts, heads... Most of that is in the heads.
There are a lot of great bows out there, but not a lot of expendable cash to get them. Making stuff is fun anyway.
when I sell bows I dont really try to get all my money back Iam glad to get 50-65 percent back I useally want to unload my goods an move on to the next bow. there is barley a profit for the new bowyer just ask them, every once in a while I will make a real good profit.that is why I try to deal an shoot high end bows at good weights 45-55 lbs there resale is easyier.you will never be happy with resale most of the time unless you just accept loss ,sell the bows git the money or keep them, there arnt many other choices.good luck
I was trying to sell a 3 month old bow (basically new) for 80% of cost. If someone was thinking of buying one of these bows, you'd think he'd jump at saving $150. I'm thinking the demand is just not there along with a poor economy.
Lippe
I have said it before, and I will say it again: Poverty Sucks!! :( :goldtooth:
But the economy is all better now. The political ads all say so. :readit:
Everybody is different, Like I said above, if the difference is $150 between a used bow and a new one I'll go the $150 and get exactly what I want. If it's $250 I'll bite just to try something different knowing that I'll get most of my investment back. I think right now don't be in a hurry to sell, sit back and it will sell down the road.
I agree that is is the economy, but in my case there is really not anything out there right now that I want.
I believe it's a combination of both the economy and the election. Regardless, it's hit my business pretty hard. I put my High Sierra for sale, it was just a few pounds heavier than what I like. I thought that a like new, quality bow like that would move quickly no matter what the economy was doing and especially at 65-70% of the new bow price without the wait....not so. I had a few trade offers but not really what I wanted to replace it. I decided to just shoot the bow and work my way up into it.
"Disposable income" - is that like money you don't need/want? I always get a kick out of that term.
The trouble with wanting top dollar from an almost new bow, in my view, is that most buyers want a "used" bow to be a real deal. 15-20% off isn't enough. And in todays' economic climate, it pretty well has to be a steal. Unless it's too special, like a one piece Silvertip or some other rarity.
I have a couple I'm going to put up and plan to take a beating and move on. Or I'll be getting what they're actually worth. Sometimes hard to tell.
If u are a glass half full person - it is a great time to buy and try some bows!
QuoteOriginally posted by ron w:
You may not want to sell a bow at 50% of what you paid.....But, don't think your going to get even near what you paid if you bought it new. When your close to new price, if there isn't a long wait, Most guys and gals will just add some cash and get new at their exact specs. I have been very fortunate to have sold a bunch of bows here on the classifieds....bought a few also....lol! I did it buy asking a fair price including shipping. Used is used....price it fair and it will sell!
I agree with Ron a lot. Sure the economy is still in need of recovery right now, but what some expect (and I am not pointing a finger at the OP, as I haven't looked at any of his ads) to get out of used equipment is amazing to me. Years ago when I got into trad, 50-65% was what you could expect out of a used bow and it had to be less than a year old and in perfect shape to get the higher amounts.
I am with Ron in that before I pay 80% of full price for a used bow, I will save up the other 20% and order one myself. That is unless it is something very hard to get, or that is EXACTLY what I am looking for.
I won't say you need to look at asking less. Ask what you are comfortable selling a bow for, just don't be upset it other don't feel it is as good of a deal as you do.
Good luck with your sales!!
What's a fair price? What the buyer wants or what the seller wants? The economy is what it is, doesn't matter who you want to point fingers at, and it may or may not change for the better. Sometimes the right bow, the right price, and the right buyer just have to meet at the right place. Good luck. I saw one seller pull an ad after 3 days recently. That seemed a bit impatient to me even in "good" times (whenever that is).
I'm hoping to get some money together for a nice Tall Tines, and will most likely just end up buying new from Brian since I am close enough I can drive and see his operation.
Lippe, could be worse, U could be a lefty....
Eric
vermonster13, I think you are right, it surely wouldn't be a lie if it's on the internet.
There have been alot of beautiful bows out there for sale, folks just don't have the fun money now.
I'm blessed in that I don't need to sell my bows because I need the money, but I can't justify to myself having these $400-$900 bows sitting around and not being used. I'll probably donate one to the St. Judes auction as I did last year. I'd rather give them away than sell them for half of what I think they're worth. Must be my German heritage. LOL. And because it's a buyer's market, I'll probably keep buying bows when one piques my interest. Yep, I'm addicted.
Lippe
when you buy a new bow,you are getting just what you want, comes with everything, except scratches, when you buy a used bow you get what is out there.I feel good if i get more than 50% .But also most of the time i will not pay more than 50% too.
Acquiring bows is like an addiction. If you are "jonesing" bad enough you will find the money to feed your addiction even if you have to sacrifice in other areas: "sorry honey, no money for eating out this year, but check out all these cool bows I got!"
I take solace in the idea that well made bows, knives, wool clothes, packs etc are durable goods that have inherent value and function. Money does not have inherent value, it is paper with attributed imaginary value. (maybe that is just how I personally justify spending money on knives, bows, wool,good tools etc:)
I'm hoping there's something in Obamacare that can help me out,,,yea know a perscripton or something....physical therapy, mental health, whatever I can get the DR to sign off on,,,,then I can get that brand spanking new bow I've always needed...at everyones else expense....
Don't cha know it always works that way.....
Just trying to have some fun after a long days work......
mjh, if it's got anything to do with a weapon or hunting, your therapy would probably be jail.
It's all ZEN DennyK all Zen......
I just paid 53% of the new cost of a bow I wanted. It is a bit longer than I would have purchased new (64") and is a couple of years old.
The last bow I bought was 65% of the new cost and was 3 years old... and I felt that was a reasonable deal. It is a name brand that usually holds their value (hint at the bottom of this post).
I hope I'm happy with my latest purchase, if not, it'll be back up on the classifieds!
I have been wanting to try a certain brand TD recurve, but never got around to ordering one. I just bought a set of like new limbs at enough of a discount to buy a riser with a couple upgrades and have less in it than a base bow new.
So I like that it is a buyers market right now.
Hermon, similar story for me recently...The truth is, it might be the best time in history for a traditional archer to be able to try more diversity of quality and sophisticated bow hunting equipment.
A large percentage of the nation's wealth became a memory in the Sept 2008 Stock Market melt- down. The last time anything similar happened was Oct 1987 and the economy did not fully recover untill 1993. I suspect it is going to be a buyer's market for awhile yet.